To evaluate the safety, tolerance and efficacy of three different dosage regimens of Amphotericin B Lipid Complex (ABLC) compared to Fungizone (Amphotericin B) in patients with AIDS and cryptococcal meningitis.

Intravenous pentamidine for treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) but not for prophylaxis.

Patients must have the following:

Meet the CDC criteria for diagnosis of AIDS.

Confirmed episode of acute cryptococcal meningitis.

Informed consent of the patient or guardian prior to entry.

Exclusion Criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Patients with the following conditions or symptoms are excluded:

Clinical evidence of acute or chronic meningitis due to an agent other than Cryptococcus neoformans.

History of hypersensitivity/anaphylactoid reaction attributed to amphotericin B.

Any other concomitant condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude a patient's participation in the study.

Concurrent Medication:

Excluded:

Corticosteroids.

Salicylates or other drugs known to interfere with prostaglandin synthesis except as specified in protocol.

Zidovudine.

Investigational agents.

Interferon.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2).

Steroids.

Isoprinosine.

Intrathecal Amphotericin B.

Intravenous Pentamidine PCP prophylaxis (only treatment).

Patients with the following are excluded:

Clinical evidence of acute or chronic meningitis due to an agent other than Cryptococcus neoformans.

History of hypersensitivity/anaphylactoid reaction attributed to amphotericin B.

Inability to obtain appropriate follow-up visits.

Any other concomitant condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude a patient's participation in the study.

Prior Medication:

Excluded within 4 weeks of study entry:

Amphotericin B.

Excluded within 2 weeks of study entry:

Any other experimental drug.

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00002019